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Evaluators randomly assigned clients to the intervention group or to the comparison group. To be eligible for the study, individuals had to have left Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) from October 1997 to December 2000 and not returned. Each month from September 2001 through January 2003, evaluators placed 100 randomly selected individuals into each of the intervention and comparison groups through a lottery-like process. The evaluators assigned a total of 3,035 individuals. This study includes 259 research sample members who were in two-parent families (another study examines effects for single-parent families). Only one member of each family is included in the sample. If both parents were eligible for the program, program staff selected one to participate in the study before random assignment, but both could be eligible to receive services.
Random assignment took place in September 2001 through January 2003. Evaluators followed up with participants for four years after random assignment.
The Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation in ACF at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funded the study, with support from the U.S. Department of Labor.
All participants were in two-parent families. Across all members of two-parent families enrolled in the Employment Retention and Advancement (ERA) program, half were White and non-Hispanic, 32 percent were Hispanic, and 12 percent were Black and non-Hispanic. On average, participants were 31 years old. More than half (62 percent) had at least a high school diploma or equivalent certification, and more than half (59 percent) were employed during the quarter when they enrolled in ERA. In the year before enrolling in ERA, most participants (76 percent) received the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and slightly less than half (42 percent) received TANF.
South Carolina Department of Social Services (state TANF agency)
The intervention was piloted with about 250 participants from June through August 2001 and fully launched in September 2001, when the evaluation began.
The Moving Up program provided participants with individualized case management services and pre- or post-employment services, depending on the employment status of program participants. Program activities included counseling on career goals and job readiness, job search assistance, short-term education or training, child care and transportation assistance, mental health services, and other support services. Moving Up was optional; therefore, to promote engagement, it offered modest incentives, including cash rewards or gift certificates for reaching specific benchmarks (such as finding a job, holding a job, getting a promotion, completing education and training activities, and so forth).
People assigned to the comparison group could participate in other programs that were normally available and offered in the community.
None.
The random assignment took place from September 2001 through January 2003. Program services were provided from September 2001 through April 2005.
South Carolina Department of Social Services (TANF agency)
The study took place in six rural counties of South Carolina (Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion, and Marlboro).
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